30 injured as BNP men clash in Barisal

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BARISAL, Oct 5 (bdnews24.com): At least 30 people were injured in a clash between supporters of a BNP leader and a leader of the party's youth front Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal at Gauranadi in Barisal Friday, a police official said.
Traffic on the Dhaka-Barisal highway screeched to a stop for two hours, and scores of shops and vehicles were damaged at Gauranadi bus stand during the clash.
It all started at around 10:30 am when former BNP lawmaker Jahiruddin Swapan along with scores of supporters was heading for Gauranadi Press Club through the bus stand.
Jubo Dal general secretary Bodiuzzaman Mintu and his supporters obstructed them, Gauranadi Police told the news agency.
Tempers got frayed, touching off a clash that went on for two hours during which brickbats were thrown.
The police brought the situation under control around 12:30 pm, Billah said. Of the injured people 17 were taken to upazila health complex.
"People outside of mainstream BNP who want to destroy the party have carried out the attack," Swapan said.
Mintu said, "When Khaleda Zia was behind bars, Swapon spoke ill of me. That's why we have resisted them Friday."
Mintu wanted to hold a rally in the bus stand area with his supporters after the clash but failed. Swapan was led away from the place under police cordon.